The Last Lion, and Other Tales

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Blasco Ibáñez, Vicente, 1867-1928

Contributor:

Lorente, Mariano Joaquín, 1883-

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Last Lion and Other Tales" by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The stories explore themes of tradition, identity, and the clash between the past and modernity, often set against the backdrop of Spanish culture and the author's own experiences. The opening story, "The Last Lion," introduces us to the character of Señor Vicente, an elderly tanner in Valencia, who represents a dying era of craftsmanship and community values. The opening of the collection sets the stage for a vivid depiction of Valencian life and history through the eyes of Señor Vicente. As he engages with members of the guild of "blanquers", he reflects on his family's legacy and the importance of their historical lion in guild processions. There is contrasting laughter and skepticism from modern guild members, indicating the tension between old customs and contemporary perspectives. This tale poignantly illustrates the significance of memory and heritage as Señor Vicente dons the lion costume for a celebratory procession, embodying both personal pride and communal history. The narrative takes a tragic turn as the end of the procession foreshadows the character's mortality, emphasizing themes of nostalgia and the inevitability of change. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

The last lion

The toad

Compassion

The windfall

Luxury

Rabies.

Credits:

Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 67.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2012-03-05